Humanities (BA)

Liberal arts majors have been hugely successful in business, government, and technology. Some of the most well-known liberal arts majors include the following: Sheila Bair, Federal Deposit Insurance chair; Mario Cuomo, former governor of New York; Michael Eisner, former Walt Disney Company CEO; Anne Mulcahy, former Xerox Corporation CEO; Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts and presidential nominee; Clarence Thomas, U.S. Supreme Court justice; and Ted Turner, CNN founder.

To learn more, schedule a preadmission counseling appointment with Director of Recruitment and Enrollment by calling 412-624-6600. Request more information today!

Humanities is a liberal arts major with a focus on courses from three humanities departments. This major can be customized to meet your interests and personal or career goals. You will choose to concentrate in three areas from the list below and have the opportunity to take a variety of courses within those areas of study.

Humanities degree graduates have a variety of skills that make them attractive to prospective employers. Career fields pursued by humanities graduates include the following:

Acting and drama

College administration

Event planning

Human resources

Politics

Teaching

Publishing

Journalism

Marketing and advertising

Public relations

Insurance

Real estate

Social work

Occupational therapy

Travel and tourism

Students must earn a minimum of 120 credits for the Bachelorof Arts degree with a major in humanities. Of this total, students must take a minimum of 36 credits (approximately 12 courses) according to the specifications below. The remaining credits required for the degree are outlined on the Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree information sheet.

Choose a minimum of 36 credits (approximately 12 courses) from any three departments/programs below. All courses taken must be humanities related.

Africana Studies (courses must be humanities related)

Classics

Communication

English Composition (0300 and above)

Film Studies

English Literature

English Writing

Foreign language departments (literature and culture courses)

History of Art and Architecture

Music

Philosophy

Religious Studies (courses must be humanities related)

Studio Arts

Theatre Arts

Please note:

At least five courses must be taken from one department, and at least three courses must be taken from each of the two other departments.

At least half of the courses taken for the major must be upper-division (1000-level) courses.

All courses selected for the humanities major must be approved by an academic advisor.

Requirements are subject to change. Check with an academic advisor before registering.

An internship program is available through the College of General Studies. Please see an advisor for additional information.

Pre-education Option

The College of General Studies and the Pitt School of Education have collaborated on a curriculum within the humanities major that incorporates all of the prerequisite course work needed for admission into the certificate program in comprehensive English education. This option may be used by students interested in the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) or Professional Year (PY) programs offered in the School of Education. Completion of the prerequisites for the School of Education does not guarantee acceptance to its programs.

Students pursuing this track take a wide variety of English courses in literature, writing/composition, and literary/film/media theory, in addition to a required foundations course in special education, for a total of 36 credits (approximately 12 courses). At least half of these courses must be at the 1000 level. Students are also encouraged to participate in an internship during their degree program and may fulfill some CGS general education and major requirements by completing a study abroad program. See a CGS advisor for more information.